Reverse Logistics on Performance of Plastic Bottling Firms in Mombasa County, Kenya

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of reverse logistics on performance of plastic bottling firms in Mombasa County. The objectives of the study are to determine the effect of reuse practices, recycle practices, remanufacturing practices and repackaging practices on performance of plastic bottling firms in Mombasa County. The study adopted cross-sectional survey research design. The choice of this design is due to its ability to portray the relationship that exists in the study variables using data collection over a short period of time . The study target population was 227 management staff and subordinates drawn from finance, operations and procurement in 27 plastic bottling firms in Mombasa County. A sample size of 145 respondents was selected by use of Slovins formula. The study utilized p rimary data collected using structure Likert scale questionnaires designed as per the study variables. The researcher used 'drop-and-pick-later' method to administer questionnaires to the respondents. Collected data was analyzed by employing descriptive and inferential statistics as the data analysis techniques. The regression results showed that reverse inventory management, reverse transportation, recycling and logistics information system has moderate significant effect on procurement performance of plastic bottling firms. The study also concludes that the plastic bottling firms registers empty returns as part of inventory supplement thus procurement savings. The firms have automated and digitized inventory processes and that they have invested in inventory model to manage returns. The empty bottles return earmarked points are sparsely dotted. Further, results show that high standards are ensured during sorting of used bottles for recycle and that these firms have established plastic bottles c collection points which are convenient to customers. The study concludes that the firms core functions are integrated by logistics information systems. The researcher recommends that the management of plastic bottling firms should put measures and structures in place to ensure maximum empty returns as they were found to lead to procurement costs savings. To enhance efficiency, the plastic bottling firms should digitize and where necessary automate inventory processes for ease of management. T he returned bottles should be collected back to the firm frequently and the companies should opt for own fleet of transportation so as to ensure efficiency in the process of returns transportation. Key Words: Reuse, Recycle, Remanufacturing, Repackaging, Reverse Logistics CITATION: Kuno, N. S. & Arani, W. (2024). Reverse logistics on performance of plastic bottling firms in Mombasa County, Kenya. The Strategic Journal of Business & Change Management , 11 (2), 894 – 911. http://dx.doi.org/10.61426/sjbcm.v11i2.2957